Wednesday, August 1, 2012

FAIRBANKS, Alaska - Jordyn Montgomery, who concluded her Alaska volleyball career last November, has been honored as the GNAC's NCAA Woman of the Year.

“To be the representative for the conference is quite an honor,” Montgomery said. “A lot of other female athletes in the GNAC could easily have represented the conference but it's nice to be honored.”

“This is another great award for Jordyn and another indication of what a special person she is,” head coach Phil Shoemaker said. “We've known that she is outstanding and it's certainly nice for her to get this recognition.”

A total of 429 NCAA graduating female student-athletes across all three divisions were nominated by their respective schools for the award based on their outstanding athletic and academic accomplishments as well as community leadership. The pool will be narrowed down to 10 from each division to make up the Top 30.

From there, the selection committee will choose three females from each division to determine the final nine nominees for the 22nd NCAA Woman of the Year. The top 30 honorees will be honored and the 2012 winner will be revealed at the annual ceremony in Indianapolis on Oct. 14.

The defensive specialist played three seasons for the Nanooks and wrapped up her career with 467 digs, 34 assists and 29 service aces in 61 matches.

Off the court, Montgomery was model student in the classroom and was the 2012 recipient of the Marion Frances Boswell Memorial Award, given to the university's outstanding graduating senior woman.

She graduated with a 4.0 grade point average and received her Bachelor's degree in Psychology with a minor in Sports management this past May.

She was also involved in the creation of Students Offering Leadership Development at UAD, which provides student the opportunity to gain leadership experience, networking and other personal development skills by working with the North Leadership Center.

Montgomery also volunteered her time with the Festival of Native Arts and contributed countless hours to the youth of Fairbanks through additional endeavors.

“She did great things here and we know she's going to continue to do great things wherever she happens to end up,” Shoemaker said. “Whatever her path in life, she is an outstanding, young woman.”